Virginia Tech remembers, gun protesters look to the future

One year ago, America suffered the worst school shooting in its history.  At the Virginia Tech Richmond Center on April 16, hokies of all ages came together to reflect, and honor the victims.

At an outdoor vigil, thirty-two balloons were released after a moment of silence as mourners looked on.  Emotions ran high, and many alumni stayed after the vigil to watch a live satellite feed of the remembrance ceremonies in Blacksburg.

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Meanwhile, at the state capitol, gun-control supporters gathered to protest the gun-show loophole.  Dressed in black and sporting VT-colored ribbons, activists expressed their anger at the General Assembly’s decision to kill the bill that would have restricted sales at gun shows and required all purchasers to undergo background checks.  Protester Pam Carnahan says that’s unacceptable.

“A felon, a domestic abuser, or dangerously mentally ill person could walk into a gun show, purchase a gun, no questions asked.  We just want that to change.  We just want all gun sales to require a background check, just like you would if you went to a gun shop,” she said.

But when a background check was done on Cho Sueng-Hui, the Virginia Tech killer, by the online shop where he legally bought his guns, he was given the go-ahead to purchase.                                                                                                                                                

Delegate Brian Moran (D-Va.), says that while he supports the second amendment giving all Americans the right to bear arms, he does believe that it should be made much more difficult, especially for those with a history of psychiatric problems.

“I think there’s a renewed interest that those who are a danger to the community, like someone with a mental illness or someone with a felony conviction – a violent felony – they should not have access – or easy access - to a firearm,” he said.

But for those families who lost a loved one last year, reform is too late.  Thirty-two students and faculty were killed that day, impacting not only Virginia but the entire country, sparking renewed interest in gun reform and campus safety.

VCU also held remembrance ceremonies at the Monroe Park Campus.  A candlelight vigil carried on into the evening hours, as faculty and students quietly listened to a recording of Virginia Tech professor Nikki Giovanni’s famous poem, “We are Virginia Tech.”

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